Increased visibility of hand sanitizer dispensers has been a marked trend of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it seems facility managers are greatly increasing their availability.

Facilities have responded to the pandemic by more than doubling the number of hand sanitizer units in their buildings, according to a new GP PRO survey of 425 individuals responsible for buying or maintaining those units in facilities.

The trend has been most prominent in office, industrial, and foodservice facilities.

Many commercial facilities already had hand sanitizer units dispersed throughout the buildings.

The survey found that pre-pandemic, foodservice, healthcare, industrial, residential, and office facilities had an average of 23 hand sanitizer units. That has risen to more than 40 units. Meanwhile, office buildings tripled the number of units and healthcare and lodging facilities now each average 85 units.

Looking ahead, the survey found that 85 per cent of people responsible for buying or maintaining units plan to keep most or all of them once the pandemic is over.

“Although we knew early on in the pandemic that there was increased demand for our sanitizer and dispensing products, this survey makes clear that those involved in facility management have come to greatly value the role hand sanitizer plays in improving hygiene,” said Julie Howard, vice president and general manager of GP PRO’s towel, skincare, and air care categories.

Additional findings of the survey include:

• Hand sanitizer units increased by more than 50 per cent on average in healthcare facilities, and 91 per cent of healthcare respondents expect to leave most or all of their units in place after the pandemic.
• Office facilities increased their number by 200 per cent on average, with 90 per cent of office respondents expecting to leave most or all of those installed.
• The number of units increased by 180 per cent on average in industrial facilities, and 85 per cent of industrial respondents intend to keep most or all of them.
• The number exactly doubled in foodservice facilities, and 79 per cent of foodservice respondents expect to keep most or all of those units.
• Units increased by nearly 85 per cent on average in lodging facilities. Post-pandemic, 70 per cent of lodging respondents expect to leave most or all of their units in place.
• Automated wall-mounted dispensers are the most common hand sanitizer format, with 61 per cent of survey respondents using them in their facilities.